bushido_man96

Quite a bit of difference between the performance of these two.

I don't like the labels that come along with ranks in some styles, either. My organization is like this. At 4th Dan, my title is "Jr. Master." I don't care for this, and thankfully am not addressed this way. I'm just referred to as Mr. Walker, and I prefer it to stay that way.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I don't think the bad that is out there is that much. By bad, I mainly mean here in the context of your post. I've never held anything back from a student. I don't try to overwhelm them, either. As an instructor, you've got to find the balance; the balance of what they are ready for, and what they are not quite ready for yet. And even then, you can talk to them about the ideas and concepts of what comes next, so they can prepare for it. Part of the deal is brining them along as far as you can as an instructor, but also making them seek and find for themselves. They need to learn how to do that, because they won't always have you around as the instructor.

Sometimes, we think too hard about something. A simple analogy has really gone off the rails here, I think.

Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't Tang Soo Do basically Shotokan? It does come from Shotokan, but it isn't the same as Shotokan. There are a lot of similarities, but there are differences as well.

As a martial artist, I am more than my moving parts. The (male) predictabilities of the mechanically inclined martial artist loses out on the adaptability qualitys of (female) spontaneity and unpredictable surprise maneuvering. The conversation appears to be changing directions. But, that's great.I don't think you've accurately described a difference between males and females. Nor do I think the idea of using the term "mechanics" to define how the actions of Martial Arts techniques takes place lends itself to male or female. It just "is."

Congrats, Tempest! Well deserved!

I love to fish! Winter is here now, and I could go trout fish if I had time, but I don't know that I will this year. The lakes I typically fish at are usually stocked with crappie, white bass, black bass, wipers, catfish, walleye, and drum. I fish bottom or top, just depends on what seems to be working.

KC dropped one to Tampa Bay. Not a huge deal, I guess, but I would have liked to see the momentum continue going into next week's match-up with Denver.

I don't think its a male/female question, really. The idea of mechanics really just refers to the moving parts of an apparatus. Our bodies are the apparatus, and how we move is the mechanics. Feet on the ground, hips, shoulders, etc. All part of the "power train," I guess you could say.

Thank you for the kind words, Patrick.

Welcome to KF, Lowkickr!

Good point. Kicking the upper leg with a round kick is better than punching it, unless you fall to your knees. If you would find yourself in a lethal force situation, a knife hand lends itself to striking the neck better than the fits does.

Solid Post! When I see students get double graded I think that they must have deserved it and been very talented. I see this usually as pertaining to a student with some prior experience, as well.

Ideally, these concepts would be taught in concordance with a self-defense course, and thus, self-defense would be enough.

I agree with DWx. I would imagine they are learning hand-to-hand techniques, knife defense techniques, possibly some firearm defenses of some kind, and hopefully some situational awareness.

I agree with the others. All of the techniques and concepts we use as Martial Artists are the tools in our preverbal toolbox. Choke defenses are great, if you're being choked. Sometimes a punch is good to use, and sometimes a palm heel is better. Knee strikes are good when you're close, and kicks are better at range. So I say yes, it is a pertinent analogy.

We teach to talk all the time, giving verbal commands during training so that we do so in a confrontation. Saying things like, "stop resisting!" or "stop fighting!" and giving commands like "get on the ground!" or "your under arrest!" Other phrases that key in on what is really happening helps other officers to realize the severity of what is going on. When we train choke defenses, we yell "stop choking me!" When we train weapon retention, we yell things like "gun grab!" or "he's got my gun! he's got my gun!" If an officer hears a fellow officer yelling that, it keys the other officer in on what level of force to come into the fight with. Civilians in a self-defense situation can yell similar things out that might help others around to realize who the aggressor is. Also, witnesses telling police officers that one person kept yelling "leave me alone" or "I don't want to fight" can be very helpful in shaking out who started what. In the case of body language, there are a few things that can make a difference. Holding hands up in what is commonly referred to as the "fence" position (hands open and facing the aggressor in a placating manner, but up high to protect the face) is much less aggressive looking than the typical hands up in balled up fists position. These are just a few things that can help others determine who might be the aggressor and who might be the victim.

Either would be ok, I think. The two have different goals in mind, though. A police officer is in the business of restraining for the purpose of arrest, and are subject to the use of force continuum. The military are not beholden to this, and will likely teach in such a way that they don't have the idea of use of force in the back of their minds.

I agree. You can use the "head test" to make sure its a hard, durable wood. If, when you are slinging them around, and you bonk your head, and your first reaction is to cuss and throw them across the room, then you've found the right wood.

Yep, same thoughts I was having. Just grade, and don't worry about it. If the instructor deems that you are worthy of double grading, then they will decide that. Otherwise, just enjoy your training.

I'll pass on the sushi.

The way I see it is that there are some people who are more than happy to only test themselves against themselves, and delve into those "spiritual" aspects of the Martial Arts. There are also those who are more than willing to embrace a challenge against another in a contest. Not everyone is geared like this. This is what professional sports is about, and MMA is the new "professional" aspect of Martial Arts competition. It will attract those who desire to compete, and those who are naturally gifted and physically talented into the upper echelons, the UFC levels.

Very cool. Really smooth and flowing.